About Dharamshala

About Dharamshala

About Dharamshala

The High snow clad Dhauladhar range form a magnificent backdrop to the hill resort of Dharamshala. This is the principal township of Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and overlooks wide spread of the plains. With dense pine and deodar forests, numerous streams, cool healthy air and the nearby snowline, Dharamshala has everything for a perfect holiday. It is full of life and yet peaceful. It is the headquarters of the district and also houses the district administration and the secretariat during the winter session of the Himachal government. It was formerly known as Bhagsu. It has an average elevation of 1457 metres (4780 feet), covering an area of almost 8.51 km², in the form of twin settlement, lower Dharamsala (1380m) is a busy commercial centre, while upper Dharamsala (1830m) with the suburbs of Mcleodganj and Forsytheganj, retains a British flavor and colonial lifestyle. The charming church of St. John in the wilderness is situated here and this is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. There is also a large Tibetan community who have made this place their home. Numerous ancient temples like Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda lie on the plains below Dharamsala. Further up the mountain is Mcleodganj A steep, narrow road connects Mcleodganj from Dharamshala and is only accessible to taxis and small cars, while a longer road winds around the valley for use by buses and trucks. Mcleodganj is surrounded by pine, Himalayan oak, and rhododendron. The main crops grown in the valleys below are rice, wheat and tea. In recent times Dharamshala is much in the news for its newly built cricket stadium which some say, is the one of the most beautiful in the world.